Cooper fined, receives suspended ban

A contrite Quade Cooper has apologised for behaviour that fell below Wallabies standards after being fined at least $40,000 and handed a suspended three-match ban on Monday for two breaches of the Australian Rugby Union code of conduct.

The independent three-man conduct tribunal of chairman and barrister Dominic Villa, former Wallaby lock David Giffin and Mark Wooley heard six alleged breaches of conduct by the Reds playmaker following a marathon hearing at ARU headquarters on Wednesday that lasted more than four hours.

The talented 24-year-old five-eighth, who has made 38 Test appearances, was fined $10,000 for his comments on social media on September 22 about an ARU-licensed video game called Rugby Challenge.

Cooper was also fined $50,000 - $20,000 of which is suspended for two years - in relation to his comments on social and mainstream media.

Cooper's criticism of the Wallabies included a reference to a toxic environment and he also cast doubt on his commitment to playing for Australia again.

He was also given a three-match ban - suspended for two years - which could apply to Super Rugby or Test matches, depending on what period of the season any future breach occurred.

Cooper, who arrived at ARU headquarters almost half an hour before the scheduled 1pm (AEDT) start of the hearing, made a short address to the large media pack after the hearing, but didn't take questions.

"It's been a very long day, it was a very fair hearing and I was very happy with the outcome," Cooper said.

"Obviously, the sentence that has been handed to me, full respect for that and I understand that I fell well below par in what it means to be a Wallaby.

"For all the supporters that are out there, my apologies.

"From now on, I'm just looking forward to the future - hopefully having a big year, with not only my state, but the Wallabies.

"And I'm very much looking forward to overcoming my injury and getting back out on the field."

His remarks on Wednesday suggest he fully intends to push for Test selection in the future rather than looking at a possible switch to rugby league.

ARU deputy chief executive officer Matt Carroll said his organisation had noted the tribunal's findings and would consider their next step in contracting Cooper, whose current agreement concludes at the end of this year, though he has already re-signed with Queensland.

"ARU placed contract negotiations with Quade Cooper on hold until the tribunal process had been finalised," Carroll said.

"Given the tribunal has handed down its decision, this matter - as far as we are concerned - has been finalised.

"ARU will now look at how we address the contract situation involving Quade Cooper."

Cooper, who was represented by Angelo Benardos, has had a difficult past 12 months.

He endured a difficult World Cup and his contribution was terminated by an anterior cruciate ligament knee injury early in the bronze-medal match against Wales.

He returned to action in the middle of the Super Rugby season and he played three Tests in the Rugby Championship before succumbing to another knee injury, which ruled him out of the Wallabies spring Tour.

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